OGT: Nov 5 Raptors (3-1) @ Celtics (1-2)

[Legends66NBA7]

http://i.imgur.com/0Pknn8d.jpg

http://www.nba.com/games/20141105/TORBOS/gameinfo.html?ls=slt


The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of their best start in 10 years, but they know there's still plenty of room for improvement.

Toronto tries to pick up another victory Wednesday night when it visits the Boston Celtics.

The Raptors (3-1) fell 107-102 at Miami on Sunday before bouncing back with Tuesday's 100-88 win over injury-ravaged Oklahoma City. Toronto was limited to 39.5 percent shooting but found a way to grind it out after scoring 30 points off 21 turnovers.

"It was one of the ugliest wins I've had in Toronto, but we'll take it," backup point guard Greivis Vasquez said. "We have to build, we have to get better -- and we will."

The Raptors are shooting 41.7 percent to rank 25th in the NBA. However, they're seventh in scoring with 104.8 points per game after averaging just over 29 points from the foul line.

"We haven't been playing up to par," Kyle Lowry said. "I know we need to play a lot better. It's just one of those things that we need to fix internally."

Toronto is looking to win four of its first five for the first time since 2004-05. The Raptors have taken four of five from the Celtics, who return home after a winless two-game road trip.

Boston (1-2) fell 104-90 at Houston on Saturday and 118-113 at Dallas on Monday. Jeff Green scored 35 points and Avery Bradley added a career-high 32 as the Celtics cut a 31-point deficit down to one with 39 seconds left.

"We shot ourselves in the foot in the first half the last two games," Green said. "By the end we were out of gas. We can't allow teams to be the aggressor the first 12 minutes. That's what happens."

The Celtics were outscored by a combined 77-41 in the first quarter during their trek before averaging 62.0 points in the second half.

"It's on us. You can't lay down," rookie Marcus Smart said. "It's really frustrating because the second half is the team that we know we can be."

Rajon Rondo had 13 points in last Wednesday's season-opening 121-105 win over Brooklyn before scoring a combined 11 on 5-of-20 shooting in the last two games. He's averaging a league-best 11.7 assists to go with 8.7 rebounds.

The Celtics had outscored the Raptors by an average of 15.2 points during an 11-game home winning streak before falling 99-90 on March 26. Lowry, DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross combined for 67 points while Jonas Valanciunas added 15 and 14 rebounds.

"That's a tough team we're running into and a tough place to play," Lowry said.

Toronto may have to get by without Valanciunas, who was forced from Tuesday's win with a facial contusion. The third-year center previously exited to get X-rays on his right hand at the start of the second quarter but returned after no injury was detected.

"He was all messed up," coach Dwane Casey said. "That's part of the NBA, next guy has to be ready to roll."

Valanciunas entered Tuesday averaging 13.7 points and 9.0 boards.

Boston's Jared Sullinger is averaging 20.7 points over a three-game stretch against the Raptors, nearly double his career mark of 10.6.

[Done_And_Done]

If you got Sully on your fantasy team you probably wanna insert him into your lineup. He's been giving us fits over our past 3-4 games against the Celts. Especially with JV and Amir not suiting up.

[Legends66NBA7]

If you got Sully on your fantasy team you probably wanna insert him into your lineup. He's been giving us fits over our past 3-4 games against the Celts. Especially with JV and Amir not suiting up.

Chuck Hayes is going to be the inevitable equalizer.

[Dave3]

Chuck Hayes is going to be the inevitable equalizer.
:facepalm :facepalm

At least I still think we should win...

[Bcogswell]

Raptors got dis.

[Legends66NBA7]

:facepalm :facepalm

At least I still think we should win...

It's not going to be easy. I haven't liked how the Raptors have played this year, they have a lot of work to do on their overall defense and 3 point shooting. Every player on the team needs to step up against this scrappy Boston team.

[Twiens]

I'm terrified of Sully with our bigs out. 20/20 incoming.

Hopefully Bebe gets some time

[Dave3]

It's not going to be easy. I haven't liked how the Raptors have played this year, they have a lot of work to do on their overall defense and 3 point shooting. Every player on the team needs to step up against this scrappy Boston team.
:oldlol: You're so politically correct. I read that as "crappy" at first.

[Qwyjibo]

With Patterson and Hansbrough starting, there will be zero interior defense for the Raptors tonight. Patterson is already getting completely lost.

[Legends66NBA7]

Not starting Stiemsma is a huge mistake. We're getting carved up in the paint.

[Derka]

I expect a decent night from Sully tonight, and even Kelly if he takes it upon himself to operate around the rim. Take advantage of their frontcourt being out.

Defense up top will be big; Derozen is still one of my favorite guys to watch once he gets going and Lowry is a monster. Avery, Rondo and Smart need to clamp down.

[salwan]

lets go! celtics should win this, given they are at home, its the 2nd game of a back-to-back for toronto and toronto's starting frontcourt is not playing

[Derka]

Avery travels and gets away with a high dribble...and then cries for a +1. Get back on D, dopey.

[Kungfro]

Celtics haven't missed a shot, some real good defense on the raps part. :facepalm

edit: one miss there, but an easy putback.

[Twiens]

Steimsma
Bebe
JJ
Demar
Lowry

What's the worst that could happen, atleast play the guys that try...

[Derka]

I'm *really* beginning to love watching us run the break. :applause:

[n00bie]

Raps getting raped.

[Derka]

THE STEAMAH! :bowdown:

[Qwyjibo]

Use the glass and don't slow down Wililams, you idiot.

[Derka]

Make the lazy pass for a TO....bust your ass back on D and block the shit out of that ball :applause:

[EricGordon23]

Just started watching.

Is JV hurt?

Greens playing crazy D

[Kungfro]

Just started watching.

Is JV hurt?

Greens playing crazy D

Yea, took a good shot to the face last game.

[n00bie]

How tall is lou Williams? He can't dunk?

[Dave3]

Use the glass and don't slow down Wililams, you idiot.
Or dunk it. He's pretty athletic.

[Fire Colangelo]

Just getting raped out there...

Sully's eating us alive

[Legends66NBA7]

How tall is lou Williams? He can't dunk?

Doubt it, after his ACL injury.

[Derka]

Man, it'd be cool to see Smart learn to make that with consistency.

[EricGordon23]

raps playing No D

[Derka]

Oh for Christ's sake, can we please just get Scal or Maxwell to sit next to Mike full-time? :facepalm

[EricGordon23]

Ross shying away from contact...

[EricGordon23]

Man, it'd be cool to see Smart learn to make that with consistency.

your getting your wish this game

[Derka]

This just in: Evan Turner is most certainly not a PG.

[salwan]

turmer is out of control with the ball and breaking down on defense

[Done_And_Done]

Evan Turner is straight balls

[Qwyjibo]

Even though it was an easy comparison to make because it's Toronto, the Mo Peterson comparisons to Ross were pretty apt. He's not showing much when it comes to an offensive game.

[Legends66NBA7]

Well, the was the worst quarter the Raps played this year. More Stiemsma, please. Maybe even Bebe ?

[Twiens]

Well, the was the worst quarter the Raps played this year. More Stiemsma, please. Maybe even Bebe ?

Is he on the active roster today?

[Twiens]

Celtics 79% shooting jesus :roll:

[Legends66NBA7]

Stiemsma the only one trying hard on defense.

[EricGordon23]

someone needs to step up and get some rebounds

[Done_And_Done]

Even though it was an easy comparison to make because it's Toronto, the Mo Peterson comparisons to Ross were pretty apt. He's not showing much when it comes to an offensive game.

Dude has all the athleticism in the world yet he frets to go hard to the rim unless he has an open lane. The kid needs to man up and learn to take a bump. That tear drop he keeps clanking ain't good enough.

[Derka]

F*cking turnovers...

[Qwyjibo]

Dude has all the athleticism in the world yet he frets to go hard to the rim unless he has an open lane. The kid needs to man up and learn to take a bump. That tear drop he keeps clanking ain't good enough.
His ball handling is really lacking and that will prevent him from being a good option on offense.

[Derka]

Oh jeez, there's no way Sully should have had that board. Raps are tired out there.

[Legends66NBA7]

Game is a loss. If you don't bring the effort, forget even coming to play.

[Derka]

Game is a loss. If you don't bring the effort, forget even coming to play.

Not at the clip the C's are turning the ball over.

[Derka]

What the hell kind of call is that? Vasquez flat out shoved him out of the way. :lol

[salwan]

refs :facepalm

[Derka]

Can't be scared to shoot it, Kelly.

[Qwyjibo]

Patterson playing D and grabbing some tough boards?!? Where is this coming from?

[salwan]

olynyk :facepalm so soft

[Derka]

First bucket in how friggin' long?

[Done_And_Done]

Lowry grabbing this game by the balls

[Qwyjibo]

I'm glad that Derozan has learned how to draw a ton of fouls because he still likes to take far too many stupid shots.

[Kungfro]

I love Lowry so much.

[Legends66NBA7]

I'm glad that Derozan has learned how to draw a ton of fouls because he still likes to take far too many stupid shots.

Same.

Hasn't got to the line tonight, though. Needs to eventually get there, but improve in other areas.

[Legends66NBA7]

I love Lowry so much.

Haven't loved his defense this year, but he can still get it done o offense.

[salwan]

olynyk is so damn hesistant.

why would he drive to the basket with his t-rex arms.
just shoot the freaking ball.

[n00bie]

Lowry is hardcore. Makes that last second shot and walks into the locker room like a bossss. :lol

[salwan]

turner with 4 turnovers in 8 minutes of playing time.

i was hoping he could contribute with limited playing time, but so far he's looked bad this season.

[Qwyjibo]

This is what the Raptors need from Kyle Lowry occasionally. When things are going really poorly, turn the dial up to 11 and carry the team.

[r0drig0lac]

Rondo only 21 minutes and already has 11/7/8

[Derka]

Gerald Wallace has it made.

$10 million to sit the bench.

Meanwhile, Bill Kennedy doing that Bill Kennedy thing where he sees fouls in his mind.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Why doesn't Young play? Not like the Celtics are going to compete for anything this year.

[avonbarksdale]

raps have this

[Qwyjibo]

Kyle Lowry and Evan Turner are playing great for the Raptors.

[Twiens]

Lowry :bowdown:

[Dave3]

Tommy: Lowry's abusing Turner :lol

[n00bie]

Lowry > celtics

[Real Men Wear Green]

I dub thee Evan Turner-over.

[Twiens]

James Johnson is a bully. Sooo much better than Ross

[RoundMoundOfReb]

:applause:

[Kungfro]

James Johnson is a bully. Sooo much better than Ross

I wouldn't be surprised to see him work his way into the starting linup. He seems a lot smarter on offense then he did in his last stint with Toronto.

[n00bie]

James Johnson is a bully. Sooo much better than Ross

We could have used jamess Johnson last year against Joe Johnson. :(

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

has bradley defended lowry this game:confusedshrug: :confusedshrug:

[Derka]

Stone-f*cking cold from the field for most of the half and more turnovers than you can shake a stick at = how you blow a lead after a dominant 1st half.

[Derka]

No composure whatsoever. Here's where you miss having anything that resembles veteran leadership on the floor outside of Rondo.

[Qwyjibo]

I'm going to assume that Tommy on the Boston telecast had a stroke on that offensive foul.

[Craptors]

tryna pull a fast 1 on the refs with that leg kick :no:

[Derka]

I'm going to assume that Tommy on the Boston telecast had a stroke on that offensive foul.

One of several outbursts. I'm ready for Cedric Maxwell or Brian Scalabrine to start in there next to Mike Gorman full-time, personally...but everyone knows that unless something drastic happens healthwise, Tommy's not going anywhere.

[Qwyjibo]

Derozan is shit on both ends tonight. He's not adapting at all on offense. One contested fadeaway mid-range jumper after another. If he's tired, TAKE HIM OUT.

[Derka]

Big shots by Smart and Green to tie it up. :applause:

[GoRapz]

If the Raps lose this one.........:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[Kungfro]

Demar!!!!!

[Bcogswell]

Lowry To Derozannnnn

[Derka]

Oh wow, rookie just got PICKED CLEAN by Lowry. :lol

[Craptors]

Helllllllllllo

[Twiens]

Best PG in the East.

[Craptors]

Klow 4 prime minister

[GoRapz]

Got my n*gga on fantasy too :pimp: :pimp: :pimp:

[Qwyjibo]

Kyle Lowry, pretty damn good at basketball.

[Legends66NBA7]

Derozan is shit on both ends tonight. He's not adapting at all on offense. One contested fadeaway mid-range jumper after another. If he's tired, TAKE HIM OUT.

Agreed, but I thought he passed it well. Otherwise, he's got to better with his shot selection. Don't think he was tired either.

[n00bie]

Lowry better be an allstar this year. :bowdown:

[Qwyjibo]

Lowry better be an allstar this year. :bowdown:
He was right there with Wall as the best guard in the East last year. Him not being selected was robbery.

- It was nice to get some non-shitty minutes from Chuck Hayes.

- Once again, James Johnson will turn out to be a brilliant signing.

- Does the NBA player named Terrence Ross still exist?

- Patterson hitting 3's again is a welcome sight.

[ballup]

Wow. Just wow. Turner-overs killed the Celtics. Oh well. Sully gets a double double, Rondo gets a triple double, and Green put on his badass shades.

Lowry put the squad on his back.

[Dave3]

- Does the NBA player named Terrence Ross still exist?


Ever since last year's Brooklyn series this guy has seemingly disappeared. Don't know what's up.

[red1]

http://photos-h.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xpf1/1389158_1456060757976031_1054635982_n.jpg

[Legends66NBA7]

Best backcourt in the East.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdNY0x5vkFk